Tokyo Nikkei 225 up 1.00% at 38,482 points (Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Tokyo, 18 Jun - Japanese shares closed broadly higher amid strong Asian markets as investors hunted for bargains after yesterday's selloff.

Uncertainty about the Bank of Japan's policy path however kept sentiment in check.

The central bank last week left interest rates unchanged as widely expected but unexpectedly signalled no near-term changes to its bond buying program.

It said it will unveil a plan to start cutting bond purchases at its next meeting at the end of July.

Analysts expected the BoJ to tighten policy by reducing the pace of its bond purchases, following recent signs of a rebound in Japanese inflation and improving wages.

The Bank of Japan hiked rates for the first time in 17 years in March, bringing them out of negative territory.

Meanwhile, BoJ governor Kazuo Ueda today that said the central bank could raise interest rates next month depending on economic data available at the time.

The Nikkei index closed up 1.00% at 38,482 points.

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(RADIOCOR) 18-06-24 08:38:55 (0171) 5 NNNN